Simply having the New Orleans Saints’ first-round pick on the field starting proved the cornerback’s absence from much of Thursday’s practice wasn’t a big deal at all. The Saints can use any positive injury news.

As for his on-field play, there was a lot to like from Lattimore on Saturday night. Texans quarterback Tom Savage did throw at the rookie, unlike during last week’s win in Los Angeles. Lattimore stood his ground multiple times, though.

Lattimore played text book defense using his left hand to come across the receiver’s body to knock Savage’s throw away on an out route on third down in the first quarter. Later, Savage tried to test Lattimore on a deep ball to Jaelen Strong. Lattimore played the ball better than Strong as Lattimore nearly intercepted the throw. Strong broke up the potential takeaway.

A very solid rookie home debut for Lattimore.

Pressure: Texans at Saints 2017

Michael DeMocker, NOLA.com | The Times-Picayune

Helped: Marcus Williams

I was taken aback a bit to find the team’s 2017 second-round pick playing with the first-team defense at free safety instead of 2016 second-round pick Vonn Bell.

The former Utah standout looked comfortable in the center-field role. He cut across the field to help P.J. Williams in coverage on the deep ball I referred to earlier. Marcus Williams nearly made a diving interception on the deflection.

In the second quarter, Marcus Williams appeared to have a ready-made interception off Deshaun Watson. Hau’oli Kikaha and Tony McDaniel pressured Watson to force the Texans rookie into a poor pass. But Williams couldn’t hang on to the deep ball.